The GWS Giants host the Western Bulldogs today for 2014’s first game at Canberra’s Star Track Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4.40pm (AEST).
Both teams enter the match-up coming off a win. The Giants are 2-1 and sitting in the top 8 after a hard-fought win against Melbourne at home last week.
Two late goals from number 2 draft pick Josh Kelly saw him claim a Rising Star nomination in only his second AFL game.
The Bulldogs had an impressive win over Richmond, bursting out of the blocks early and while the Tigers fought back hard, a late goal from veteran small forward Daniel Giansiracusa sealed the first win of the year for the Bulldogs.
The Giants have made two changes from the side that got the of better the Demons, one forced, one not.
Devon Smith is out for the week due to a suspension from striking Bernie Vince, while Dylan Addison has been dropped from what would’ve been his first match against his old side after having little impact against the Demons.
To fill the gaps the Giants have recalled Liam Sumner, and will debut former Swan Jed Lamb. Lamb, who joined the Giants expecting to walk into the best 22, has been left out of the team in the first three rounds and would’ve been disappointed to miss the Giants landslide Round 1 win over his former club. He has his chance now, it’ll be interesting to see what he makes of it.
The Bulldogs have made three changes, two forced. Jordan Roughead is expected to spend a significant amount of time on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, and Luke Dahlhaus will miss with a minor calf concern. Jason Johannisen has been dropped due to poor form. The Bulldogs are bringing back Jason Tutt, Tom Young, and Koby Stevens.
The midfield battle will be the key for these two sides with both boasting some of the competition’s best young talent. The Bulldogs – like any other side in the league – would find it hard to match the Giants in term of young guns, but they have an experienced core that may give them the advantage over the Giants.
If the midfield battle is relatively even, the game may come down to the potency of the forward lines, where the Giants have a significant advantage in the form of Jeremy Cameron and Jon Patton. Between them Cameron and Patton have kicked 12 goals this year, a significant advantage on the Dogs pair of Liam Jones and Jake Stringer, who have booted just 6 majors between them in the opening rounds.
Prediction
This promises to be an interesting match with both sides keen to get another win and both having a strong case to be the favourites.
Personally I think the absence of Jordan Roughead will give either Jeremy Cameron or Jon Patton a favourable match-up, giving the Giants an edge – but this one could go either way.
GWS Giants by 6 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4.40pm (AEST).
JR Salazar
Guest
Wonderful [sic] fourth quarter from GWS. That's the type of performance we can see from them.
Josh
Expert
Missed my pick - aargh! Just my second missed one so far on The Roar this year. Oh well, still running at an 11-2 record, not bad at all. I'm going to be covering Gold Coast V Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium tonight - come join in the fun! http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/04/12/gold-coast-suns-vs-hawthorn-hawks-afl-live-scores-blog/
Josh
Expert
Big turn around from the Bulldogs who were 26 points down at quarter time and managed to run out the winners by 27 - the Giants just looked tired in final quarter and the Dogs overran them kicking seven goals in the final term to just one from the Giants. Matthew Boyd hugely influential with 39 disposals and a goal, probably best on ground for the night, but Shaun Higgins had 29 touches and a goal, and Jack Macrae had 30 disposals. Liam Jones booted three goals and Jason Tutt two, all of them crucial ones that helped get the Dogs across the line. Tutt will be especially proud, close to a match-winner at his home-town of Canberra. For the Giants Curtly Hampton and Adam Treloar got their fare share of the ball, Heath Shaw was decent as well. Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals, including his 100th AFL Goal.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME GWS 12.11.83 BULLDOGS 17.8.110
Josh
Expert
GOAL BULLDOGS Stewart Crameri kicks his fourth in the goal square as a late goal - only a few seconds left on the clock. GWS 12.11.83 BULLDOGS 17.8.110
Josh
Expert
BEHIND GWS Adam Tomlinson kicks a behind on the run. 2 minutes left with the Dogs holding a 21-point advantage. GWS 12.11.83 BULLDOGS 16.8.104
Josh
Expert
Three minutes.
Josh
Expert
Down to 4 minutes now with the Giants needing four goals to crack back into the lead - I'm calling it here, the Dogs have got this one.
Josh
Expert
GOAL BULLDOGS Big celebration for Jason Tutt, who kicks a long running goal to give the Bulldogs a 22 point advantage with 5 minutes left in the game! The Giants are still a chance, but it'll take a huge effort from here and they look tired. GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 16.8.104
Josh
Expert
BEHIND BULLDOGS A shot out of play by Matthew Boyd is touched across the line. Dogs lead is out to 16, six minutes left. GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 15.7.98
Josh
Expert
GOAL BULLDOGS 50m penalty to the Bulldogs sends Shaun Higgins to the top of the goalsquare, and he can't miss from there. The Dogs lead by 15 points with six and a half minutes left in the game! GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 15.7.97
Josh
Expert
GOAL BULLDOGS Another one for Jones! He has kicked the last two and has put the Bulldogs up by 9 points - the most they've led by all day - with 9 minutes left to play in the game. GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 14.7.91
Josh
Expert
BEHIND BULLDOGS Will Minson takes a snap out of the pack, but it rolls through for a behind. GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 13.7.85
Josh
Expert
GOAL BULLDOGS Ka-boom! Liam Jones kicks a long long goal from outside 50, and puts the Dogs in front for the first time since the opening minutes of the game! 11 minutes left, Dogs lead by 2 points! GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 13.6.84
Josh
Expert
GOAL BULLDOGS Instant reply for the Dogs - Stewart Crameri takes a nice mark not far out and ices the shot. Bulldogs within a straight kick of the lead, 12 minutes left to play in the game. GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 13.6.78
Josh
Expert
GOAL GWS Incredible goal by Josh Kelly! The ball is in chaos the in the Giants goalsquare when Josh Kelly runs through the pack and toepokes it through - Giants lead by 10. GWS 12.10.82 BULLDOGS 12.6.72
Josh
Expert
BEHIND GWS Stephen Coniglio has a shot out of play, but is unlucky. GWS 11.10.76 BULLDOGS 12.6.72
Josh
Expert
Down to fourteen minutes left in the quarter, and the Giants still hold a 3-point advantage. Anyone's game.
Josh
Expert
Sand is really coming into play so far this quarter. Sand saw Jeremy Cameron take a slide just then, and Daniel Giansiracusa slowed down along the wing by a bad bounce.
Josh
Expert
BEHIND GWS Long shot by Adam Treloar running along the boundary is spoiled through. GWS 11.9.75 BULLDOGS 12.6.72